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Manufacturer Technical Specifications
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General
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Country Of Origin
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Germany
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Year Of Introduction
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2008
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Base Price When New
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N.A
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Miles Per Gallon
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N.A
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Body Type
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N.A
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Curb Weight
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N.A
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Powertrain Layout
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Front-Engine / RWD
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Transmission
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N.A
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Engine
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Configuration
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N.A
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Displacement
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N.A
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Power
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N.A
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Torque
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N.A
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BHP / Liter
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N.A
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BHP / Weight
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N.A
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Redline
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N.A
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Performance
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Top Speed
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N.A | |
0 - 62 mph
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N.A
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0 - 100 mph
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N.A
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0 - 250 mile
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N.A
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Skidpad
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N.A
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Braking, 62-0 mph
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N.A
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Slalom Speed
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N.A
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Sponsors
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Wallpaper Gallery: 1600x1200
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Manufacturer Press Release
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PRESS RELEASE:
Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION study showcases
new design idiom
Sense and sensuousness – a compelling in-terpretation
of a coupé concept
Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz builds the world's most desirable coupés – a claim
which the Stuttgart-based car maker is underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show
with its ConceptFASCINATION design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative
and unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a
new way, represents an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and
elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass give
a particularly exclusive look and feel to the luggage compartment which
incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering a
large load space. These attributes embody the two objectives of
ConceptFASCINATION – to provide a high level of practical usability and to
create a coupé which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling lines. In
developing this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus to the
long-established (although now rarely seen) "shooting brake", a vehicle category
with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the constraints of a
specifications book, the designers have created an automotive sculpture with
great aesthetic appeal which once again demonstrates Mercedes-Benz's high level
of design expertise.
ConceptFASCINATION is a unique jewel of compelling automotive design which is
distinguished by its irresistibly dynamic lines yet still offers the be-nefits
of a large luggage compartment. A particularly notable feature of the design is
that the practical load space develops organically from the exciting and elegant
lines of this lifestyle coupé, giving it its special charisma. Inside, the tone
is set by fine, exceptional materials hand-crafted to the highest standard.
Absolute perfection and attention to detail make this design study an
incomparable gem which conveys at one and the same time a sense of sporty
forward movement and elegance, savoir-vivre and exclusivity of the highest
level.
Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, commented:
"This design study continues the long tradition of exciting coupés from
Mercedes-Benz in impressive style. With its emotionally ap-pealing lines,
ConceptFASCINATION offers a completely new interpretation of the coupé. Its
aesthetic, dynamic looks and painstakingly crafted details ensure that this
study meets the highest design standards."
Taut, sharply contoured lines and finely
sculpted surfaces
The design study's elongated body is dominated by the dynamic front-to-rear
sweep of its lines which gives it a dynamically charged look, evoking movement
even when the vehicle is stationary. This impression is empha-sised by the long,
frameless, side-window line which describes a continuous arc from front to rear,
uninterrupted by a B-pillar. As a result, the large load space in the rear is
integrated in the vehicle body cohesively and harmoni-ously while also
increasing the impression of length and creating a remark-able sense of
lightness. The side windows can be lowered completely – one of the fundamental
genetic markers of every Mercedes-Benz coupé – to provide an uninterrupted view
of the stylish way in which fine materials have been used inside the vehicle.
A sense of forward-flowing energy is created by the wedge-shaped profile of the
design study whose sides are structured by taut, clearly defined lines which
grow out of the surfaces organically and disappear back into them in the same
subtle way. Sensitively sculpted surfaces, alternately concave and convex, are
defined by the shoulder line, undercut feature line and an addi-tional line to
form a gentle, yet pronounced linear flow complemented by an intriguing
interplay of light effects. In short, flowing surfaces and arching structures
create compelling forms.
The wheel arches are powerfully sculpted. In the rear fenders in particular, the
rounded treatment of the flared wheel arches is characterised by a de-gree of
almost sensual exuberance – a classic Mercedes-Benz design ele-ment of the past
– which is taken to an elegant conclusion in the lines of the rear. In order to
maintain the flow of the surfaces and edges, the door han-dles are visually
extended rearward of the doors into the sides of the vehi-cle.
A self-assured front section with a new take on
the dual headlamp face
The distinctive front section of this gracefully built athlete is a picture of
self-assurance. It remains loyal to the dual headlamp face, but interprets it in
a more contemporary way. The now rhomboid headlamps which are set a-gainst a
grey background reveal the fascinating technical details of the light units
which feature the latest LED technology as well as C-shaped fibre-optic inserts
which serve as discreet running lights. With its new, sharper eyes and the
surrounding lines and surfaces, the "face" of the Concept-FASCINATION vehicle is
both exciting and forceful.
The hood of the design study has pronounced contours with a central ridge which
picks up the V-shape of the front end and continues it along the vehi-cle body.
Powerfully framed, the single-louvre radiator grille with the central Mercedes
star makes a very dominant and expressive statement of the brand identity.
A distinctive front apron with a small double-wing assembly at the base gi-ves
this design gem a wide, confident stance.
The great attention to detail, which can be sensed in the assurance of every
line and the graceful sweep of every surface, is exemplified to perfection by a
special touch in the front apron: a fine chrome trim strip runs all round the
lower body of the vehicle; at the front, LED fog lamps are set into this strip –
turning it into a sparkling piece of jewellery.
Forward-sloping rear with pronounced V-shape
The forward-sloping rear also has a pronounced V-shape and features a spoiler,
below which the third brake light is reflected in the rear window. Flat,
horizontal LED lights which extend around the back, linking it visually with the
sides, emphasise the width. In a styling move which is both clever and extremely
harmonious, the undercut surround of the redesigned tail lights flows into the
rear fenders, serving as yet another example of the painstak-ing attention to
detail by the Mercedes-Benz designers. As at the front, the rear is completed by
a small additional wing framed by four exhaust tail-pipes.
Exquisite range of materials from the world of
equestrianism
A large panoramic glass roof and the arc described by the uninterrupted
side-window line bring a sense of visual lightness to the interior, too, and
help it to merge with the exterior. Fine materials, such as leather, wood and
aluminium, as well as high-quality woven fabrics and many carefully crafted
details ensure that the sporty and stylish character of the show vehicle is also
underlined by the interior.
The exquisite range of materials is inspired by the world of equestrianism and
satisfies the most discerning tastes. Recalling the look and feel of a saddle,
thick, dark leather covers the aluminium centre console which, like a bridge
extending from the front to the rear, spans the space between the four sporty
individual seats and translates the taut lines of the exterior to the interior
of the vehicle with minimalist elements. Strong and natural, this leather also
covers the upper section of the dashboard while its supple, flowing character
means that it also lends itself to enhancing the look and feel of the door
armrests.
Contrast is provided by light, fine nubuck leather used for the other surfaces
and the four individual seats as well as by the deep-pile carpet with heavy
fibres. The seat centre panels are covered in strong, high-quality fabric. Trim
strips in American walnut with a fine chrome surround complete the portfolio of
materials.
The characteristic V-shape of the exterior is picked up by the dashboard whose
styling evokes a dynamic wing and which features an instrument cluster with five
tubes and silver dials.
Luxurious load compartment with stylish details
Painstakingly crafted details give the load compartment a particularly
luxuri-ous and surprising character. The floor of the load compartment, which
measures approximately one metre square, is made of wood with brushed aluminium
protective rails. Folding up the floor at the left and right sides reveals two
compartments containing two sets of binoculars as well as a high-quality digital
camera with interchangeable Leica lenses – the perfect equipment for a day at
the races, for example.
The centre of the load compartment is occupied by a folding smoked glass table
which rises out of the floor at the touch of a button to reveal a com-partment
housing a humidor. The table can also be pulled to the rear for easier access
from outside. Doing so provides access to a refrigerated compartment for drinks
and champagne flutes. The smoked glass can then be folded up at left and right
to allow the vehicle occupants to enjoy a picnic in a stylish and refined
ambience.
Driven by new, powerful and economical
four-cylinder diesel engine
Not content with just indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION de-sign study
impresses with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from the future
E-Class Coupé and include the new four-cylinder diesel en-gine which features
BlueTEC and AdBlue technology and develops 150 kW / 204 hp from a displacement
of 2.2 litres.
Mercedes-Benz design studies look to future
styling trends
The ConceptFASCINATION study was not created merely to arouse interest in a new
and unusual design concept. It is much more a matter of giving designers the
opportunity to play around with unconventional topics, to look at things in a
new way and to explore new ideas. Design studies also serve to stimulate a
closer dialogue with customers and to gauge the public reac-tion to new ideas
for cars. They help Mercedes-Benz designers to get a feel for future styling
trends and to develop new design idioms. |
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